Commission paves the way for release of the second regular payment to Ukraine of close to €4.1 billion under the Ukraine Facility

The Commission has given a positive assessment for the second regular payment of close to €4.1 billion under the EU’s Ukraine Facility, to support Ukraine’s macro-financial stability and the functioning of its public administration. Once adopted by the Council, this decision will bring to €16.1 billion the total funds disbursed in 2024 in support of the Ukraine Plan.

Following the assessment of the second payment request submitted by Ukraine in October, the Commission has concluded that Ukraine has satisfactorily fulfilled the nine agreed reform indicators for this payment. These reforms cover areas such as the fight against corruption, business environment, labor market, regional policy, energy market, and environmental protection.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The positive assessment by the Commission of Ukraine’s €4.1 billion payment request is further proof both of Europe’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine and of the country’s impressive progress in driving forward important reforms to advance on its EU path while fighting an atrocious war.”

Accomplished steps for this payment request include:

• Increased capacity to fight corruption: Ukraine has increased the staff of the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), as well as amended the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code to increase the efficiency of fighting corruption. In particular, the legal framework of plea bargaining was significantly improved.
• Improved asset recovery: Ukraine has adopted an Action Plan for the implementation of the Asset Recovery Strategy for 2023-2025. It outlines a number of measures in line with international best practices, such as reforming the legal confiscation mechanism, asset return, tracing, and identification.
• Improved regulatory environment: Ukraine has adopted an Action Plan to ease the burden on businesses by reviewing and removing overlapping regulations, deregulating economic activities, and digitizing administrative procedures.
• Updated State Strategy for 2021-2027 Regional Development: The revised Strategy aims to strengthen social cohesion and improve the well-being and security of Ukrainians through a more democratic, decentralized, and inclusive multi-level governance system.
• Electricity market reform: Secondary legislation on wholesale market integrity and transparency has entered into force.
• New law on prevention, reduction, and control of industrial pollution: This law represents a first step to transpose relevant EU acquis and fight industrial pollution.